ND GNF Newsletter 27-Sep-06

[marine_man]

- Attention Swan and Sandhill Crane Hunters: AI Surveillance Continues

- Dry Conditions Take Toll on Wetland Habitats

Attention Swan and Sandhill Crane Hunters: AI Surveillance Continues

Avian Influenza surveillance continues across the United States, including North Dakota, and biologists will be sampling swans taken by hunters statewide and cranes taken in select counties.

Tundra swans and sandhill cranes are a primary surveillance species for North Dakota, given their northwesterly breeding areas and the fact that North Dakota is one of the top harvest areas for both species, according to Mike Szymanski, migratory game bird biologist for the state Game and Fish Department.

Swan hunters received several pieces of information pertaining to Avian Influenza included with their swan tags this year. “Many hunters don’t even open their tags until they shoot a swan, but we would like everyone to take a look at the information before they go hunting,” Szymanski said.

One page describes the surveillance program and has a map with phone numbers. “We really need successful swan hunters across the state to give those phone numbers a call so that we can get a test swab from their swan,” Szymanski said. “We will have people located across the state responding to hunters that have filled their swan tags.”

Hunters can either stop by the offices listed on the map, if convenient, or call the appropriate hotline number and have a biologist come to wherever they are staying to sample their swan.

Additionally, sandhill crane hunters should call the following phone numbers to have their cranes sampled: in Burke, Divide, Mountrail, and Ward counties call 701-527-7062; in Burleigh and Kidder counties call 701-527-7184; and in McLean and Sheridan counties call 701-527-5975. Hunters should call the number that corresponds to the area where a biologist can meet them to sample their birds.

Biologists need to sample swans and cranes within 24 hours, and will be monitoring phones after normal business hours and on weekends. Swan and crane hunters can call the Game and Fish Department’s Bismarck office at 701-328-6300 if they have any questions.

To date, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has not been detected in North America. Worldwide, there have been fewer than 250 reported human cases. Hunters are encouraged to use common sense sanitary practices when handling waterfowl, as with handling all other wild game. Hunters can find a brief informational page with links to other agencies regarding Avian Influenza on the Game and Fish Department HSOforum at http://gf.nd.gov/info/.

Dry Conditions Take Toll on Wetland Habitats

North Dakota Game and Fish Department biologists recently completed the annual fall wetland survey. Less than half the number of duck-hunting-type wetlands were counted in mid-September compared to the same time last year, according to Mike Szymanski, migratory game bird biologist.

The survey is conducted just prior to the waterfowl hunting season to provide an assessment of conditions duck hunters can expect. In some years, late summer rains can make up for less than ideal conditions. However, this year, that certainly didn’t happen, Szymanski said.

“Wetland habitats across North Dakota really took a beating this July,” Szymanski said. “We had a number of days that approached 100 degrees, some of which were quite windy, and recent rains haven’t been substantial enough to replenish wetlands.”

In the central and western portions of the state, only about a quarter of the duck hunting type wetlands that were counted last fall remain. “Most remaining wetlands will have moderate to wide mud margins between vegetation that hunters use for concealment and the water’s edge,” Szymanski said.

The northeastern and extreme southeastern portions of the state had somewhat better precipitation and had more water carry over from last fall, Szymanski said. “Hunters will definitely need to do their homework this fall to find places to hunt,” he added. “Getting out there and scouting is the best solution.”

[marine_man]

To all those Non Residents headed to ND this weekend please pay close attention to the second story... it's the truth!

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